Super Smash has been one of the most competitive T20 leagues in the world and perhaps the only T20 league where all the participating teams have won the title at least once. Hence, picking a winner in this tournament is never easy. Here, we look back at the performances of the six sides over the last few seasons to offer insights into what's in store for the 2023-24 edition of the tournament.
# Northern Braves
The Northern Braves (formerly Northern Knights) are the defending champions. They have won the title for the last two seasons and shall look to become the first side to win a hat-trick of titles and add a record 5th trophy to their cabinet. The team has a lot of talented players, and skipper Jeet Raval would like his players to be consistent as they hunt for another title.
Squad - Jeet Raval (c), Anurag Verma, Bharat Popli, Brett Hampton, Freddy Walker, Henry Cooper, Joe Walker, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Peter Bocock, Zak Gibson, Tim Pringle, Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee, Colin de Grandhomme, Trent Boult, Kane Williamson
# Canterbury Kings
Since their win in the tournament's inaugural edition in 2005/06, the Kings haven't added another jewel to the crown. They have been in good form, making it to the final for the last three seasons, but fell short of victory. Cole McConchie would like to end this title draught and expect his players to deliver the goods under pressure.
Squad - Cole McConchie (c), Angus McKenzie, Edward Nuttall, Fraser Sheat, Henry Nicholls, Henry Shipley, Ken McClure, Leo Carter, Matt Boyle, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Mitch Hay, Rhys Mariu, Sean Davey, Will O'Rourke, Zak Foulkes
# Wellington Firebirds
The four-time champions had a poor tournament last year, winning just three games. It has been a downslide for the side in the previous two seasons, where they have failed to show the consistency they are known for. The side draws its strengths from a bunch of players who have played well together. Nick Kelly would aim for its fifth title and become the most successful team in the tournament's history.
Squad - Nick Kelly (c), Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell, Logan Van Beek, James Hartshorn, Adam Milne, Iain McPeake, Michael Snedden, Nathan Smith, Peter Younghusband, Tim Robinson, Troy Johnson, Callum McLachlan, Gareth Severin, Nick Greenwood, Jesse Tashkoff, Muhammad Abbas, Ben Sears
# Auckland Aces
They have won the title four times. However, it hasn't been the greatest of runs for the side since then. It was a poor show by the side in the last edition, where they managed only three wins in their 10 games and finished at the bottom of the points table. The side led by Robert O'Donnell has some of the best hitters of the ball in Kiwi cricket, and the skipper would like to put up a good show.
Squad - Robert O'Donnell (c), Sean Solia, George Worker, William O'Donnell, Harjot Johal, Ryan Harrison, Simon Keene, Cam Fletcher (wk), Cole Briggs (wk), Finn Allen (wk), Quinn Sunde (wk), Adithya Ashok, Benjamin Lister, Danru Ferns, Jock McKenzie, Louis Delport, Matthew Gibson, Yahya Zeb
# Central Stags
The Stags did well in stages but failed to show their consistency. They won the title thrice, with the last in 2018/19. The side led by the energetic Tom Bruce would like to set the ball rolling from the start of the season. They have a young bunch of players and shall aim to do well this season.
Squad - Tom Bruce (c), Doug Bracewell, Dane Cleaver (wk), Jayden Lennox, Brad Schmulian, Brett Randell, Bayley Wiggins (wk), Ben Smith, Bevan Small, Will Young, Ajaz Patel, Josh Clarkson, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole, Seth Rance, Liam Dudding
# Otago Volts
The Volts performed well last season, finishing second on the points table but losing in the elimination final. The side had earlier won the title twice but has been inconsistent in the last few years. Skipper Dean Foxcroft would like to see a good start this season, as this has been an endemic problem for the side in the previous few editions.
Squad - Dean Foxcroft (c), Dale Phillips, Hamish Rutherford, Jacob Cumming, Llew Johnson, Ollie White, Thorn Parkes, Glenn Phillips, Jake Gibson, Jamal Todd, Luke Georgeson, Max Chu (wk), Andrew Hazeldine, Ben Lockrose, Jacob Duffy, Jarrod McKay, Matthew Bacon, Travis Muller
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